Transport for London (TfL) is inviting Londoners to have their say on new, more detailed plans to extend the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) from Gallions Reach to Thamesmead via Beckton Riverside.
The consultation sets out updated proposals for how the extension could be delivered, including designs for two new stations, construction methods and potential impacts on local communities and the environment. Feedback will help shape the final scheme ahead of a planned Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) application in early 2027.
TfL is proposing a new station at Beckton Riverside, opposite Gallions Reach Shopping Park, as part of a wider redevelopment including homes, jobs, retail and community space. A second station is planned at Thamesmead Waterfront, a 100-hectare regeneration site owned by Peabody, with the potential to support thousands of homes, jobs and a new town centre. Thamesmead Waterfront is being considered as one of Government’s New Town proposals, subject to consultation.
TfL is seeking views on designs for the new stations, construction plans, how materials would be transported to and from sites, and impacts on local communities and the environment.
The consultation will be supported by a programme of local engagement and communication, including letters to residents, leafletting and local drop-in events across the area. These events will give residents, businesses and stakeholders the opportunity to speak directly with the project team and share their views in person.
TfL is working with the Royal Borough of Greenwich, the London Borough of Newham, the Greater London Authority and development partners including Peabody, Lendlease, Aberdeen Investments, Berkeley Homes and Homes England to support growth in the area. Improved transport links are central to unlocking development at Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead.
The extension would significantly improve connectivity for those living and working in the area, with journey times of around 25 minutes to Stratford, 30 minutes to London Bridge and 35 minutes to Tottenham Court Road. It would also connect two designated Opportunity Areas and four major development sites. The extension is expected to unlock 145 hectares of brownfield land and support up to 30,000 new homes and 10,000 jobs, delivering an estimated £15.6bn in economic benefits.
Thamesmead Waterfront and Beckton Riverside are among the largest remaining brownfield sites in London, but their potential is currently constrained by a lack of direct rail links. The scheme would include a new tunnel beneath the Thames, passing through a substantial layer of chalk that is well suited to tunnelling. This approach has proven successful for other river crossings, including the DLR extension to Woolwich Arsenal in 2009.
TfL is carrying out a full Environmental Impact Assessment as part of its planning process. Subject to funding and approvals, construction could begin in 2029, with the extension opening in the early 2030s.
The Government confirmed its support for the scheme in the Autumn Budget 2025, including backing for a potential funding mechanism, ensuring the scheme can progress. Final funding arrangements remain subject to agreement.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I’m really pleased to be progressing our exciting plans for the DLR extension to Thamesmead, following Government backing in the Budget last autumn. This is something I’ve long called for – alongside London’s businesses and communities – because it will not only transform travel in a historically underserved part of our city, but also unlock thousands of new jobs and homes, boosting the economy across the capital and indeed the country. I encourage Londoners to have their say in this detailed consultation and help shape these game-changing plans as we continue building a greener, better, more prosperous London for everyone.”
Alex Williams, TfL’s Chief Customer and Strategy Officer, said: “Extending the DLR to Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead will be a game changer for east London, providing fast, reliable connections to areas that have gone decades without direct rail access. It’s vital we hear from people who could benefit, so their views can help shape the plans as they progress.”
Abena Oppong-Asare, MP for Erith and Thamesmead, said: “This is fantastic news for Thamesmead and a major step forward for a campaign I have championed since I was first elected. The Government’s backing for the DLR extension has been a hugely welcome breakthrough, and this project has the potential to transform local lives by improving access to jobs, education, new homes and opportunities across London. I encourage residents to take part in the consultation, make their voices heard and help shape a project that could transform Thamesmead for generations to come.”
